Children at risk of harm on Island to be helped by MASH

Six-month pilot phase started as part of safeguarding initiative 

Children on the Isle of Man who are at risk of harm could become better protected if a new initiative is successful.

The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub – or MASH – is undergoing a six-month pilot phase.

It brings together professionals from services that have contact with children and young people - including police, Manx Care and social services, to share information and knowledge.

Teresa Cope, Manx Care chief executive, said: "When professional, multi-disciplinary agencies work together to share information about children, young people and their families, it supports harm reduction and ensures there is better decision-making around a child’s welfare and safety."

Chief Constable Russ Foster added: "Having worked within a MASH arrangement during my time in the UK I have seen for myself the clear benefits to the co-location of professional agencies when it comes to safeguarding matters.

"As a police force we are committed to protecting vulnerable people and reducing harm in our communities across the Island, with early intervention and partnership working key to this.

"I look forward to seeing the progress that the MASH team makes over the next six months whilst in pilot phase and am confident this will make a significant difference to safeguarding arrangements for children and young people living on the Isle of Man."

During the pilot phase MASH will be based at Murray House in Douglas – it will operate between 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Fridays.  

The team can be contacted via email (childcarereferrals.DHSC@gov.im) or by calling 01624 686179.